Coincidence? A massive earthquake in Asia unleashed tsunamis killing thousands, exactly one year to the hour after the Bam, Iran earthquake killed 26,000. What are the odds of two of the most destructive earthquakes in decades occuring exactly one year apart- almost to the minute! December 26, 2003 - Bam, Iran, only 6.6 on the richter scale, but quake is centered directly under the city- 26,000 dead. December 26, 2004 - Centered off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the massive quake, which measured 9.0 on the richter scale, unleashed tidal waves across the Indian Ocean.